Celtic vs Rangers Match Analysis and Prediction

5 years ago 745

The top two teams in the SPL will compete on Wednesday night in the Old Firm derby, with Celtic looking to close the gap between themselves and the current league leaders Rangers.

Both sides enter this match in great form, and with just two points separating them at the moment, there is everything to play for as the title race heats up.

Celtic will be aiming to climb to the top of the SPL table in midweek, where a victory will see them leapfrog Rangesr into the first position.

The Hoops have been chasing the Gers throughout the entire season, but they now have the chance to achieve that goal on their home turf at Celtic Park.

Celtic managed to defeat Dundee United 1-0 at the weekend despite being down to 10 men following Nir Britton’s red card, which means they will be wothout the central midfielder on Wednesday.

However, Ange Postecoglou’s side head into this contest with a 13-game unbeaten run in all competitions, which provides them confidence for what will be their greatest clash of the season.

Meanwhile, Rangers were held to a 3-3 draw at the weekend in a frantic game against Ross County, who are fighting for survival in the league.

The Gers let a potential three points slip away in the 96th minute, as Matthew Wright scored a crucial goal for his team, marking the second time since the winter break that Rangers have failed to win a game.

Having lost just once in the league all season, the recent form has allowed Celtic to close in to them in the table, placing some real pressure on this particular encounter.

Rangers took all the three points with a narrow 1-0 win in their meeting ealier this season and will hope to repeat the same on Wednesday.

Celtic vs Rangers head to head

The two teams have previously met on 105 occasions across all competitions, where Celtic are leading with 46 victories while Rangers have won 39, and they have drawn in 20. Celtic have scores 148 goals and conceded 126. In their last five encounters, Rangers have won four and they have drawn once.

Rangers 1-0 Celtic 02/01/21

Celtic 1-1 Rangers 21/03/21

Rangers 2-0 Celtic 18/04/21

Rangers 4-1 Celtic 02/05/21

Rangers 1-0 Celtic 29/08/21

Celtic latest home form

Celtic have been on a good run of form at home in the season so far, with their last home defeat coming 4-0 against Bayer Leverkusen on September 30 in the Europa League. They have won all their last five matches, having scored 8 goals and conceded 2.

Celtic 1-0 Hearts 02/12/21

Celtic 3-2 Real Betis 09/12/21

Celtic 1-0 Motherwell 12/12/21

Celtic 2-0 Hibernian 17/01/22

Celtic 1-0 Dundee United 29/01/22

Celtic latest away form

The Hoops have been on a good run of form on the road this season, and they have not lost in their last seven matches. Their last defeat came 3-2 against Bayer Leverkusen on November 25 in the Europa League. They have won four and drawn one of their last five matches.

Hibernian 1-2 Celtic 19/12/21

St Mirren 0-0 Celtic 22/12/21

St. Johnstone 1-3 Celtic 26/12/21

Alloa Athletic 1-2 Celtic 22/01/22

Hearts 1-2 Celtic 26/01/22

Rangers latest home form

Rangers have been on a good run of form at home in the season. Their last home defeat came on November 21 when they lost 3-1 to Hibernian in the League Cup. They have won in all their last five matches, including a 4-0 victory over Stirling Albion in the FA Cup.

Rangers 2-0 St. Johnstone 15/12/21

Rangers 1-0 Dundee United 18/12/21

Rangers 2-0 St. Mirren 26/12/21

Rangers 4-0 Stirling Albion 21/01/22

Rangers 1-0 Livingston 26/01/22

Rangers latest away form

The Gers have been on a good run of form away from home in the league this season so far. They recently managed to pick up a 1-1 draw against Lyon on December 9 in the Europa League. In their last five away matches, they have won two and drawn three.

Hibernian 0-1 Rangers 01/12/21

Lyon 1-1 Rangers 09/12/21

Hearts 0-2 Rangers 12/12/21

Aberdeen 1-1 Rangers 18/01/22

Ross County 3-3 Rangers 29/01/22

Celtic news

The return of captain Callum McGregor could boost Celtic for the derby game, after he returned to training this week following his facial injury, which could be important following Briton’s red card.

Daizen Maeda is also expected to be in contention, providing Postecoglou with further options as they head into this important encounter.

Rangers news

Aaron Ramsey is not likely to make his debut yet, as he will not be in the sqaud for this game, while Alfredo Morelos as away on international duty with Colombia, which could allow Kemar Roofe to start.

Filip Helander is also absent due to injury, but Rangers will welcome back Leon Balogun.

Prediction and Odds

Old Firm derby matches are always close contests, and this should be no different, especially with very little separating them in the league standings.

However Celtic have a chance to go top and because they are in slightly stronger form, we see them use home advantage to win the game.

Odds: 1 1.90 X 2.05 2 2.35